Portable multi-purpose desk



July 17, 1956 G. NICHOLS 2,755,156

PORTABLE MLTI-PURPOSE DESK Filed June 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AT TOR/4 Y July 17, 1956 G. NICHOLS PORTABLE MULTI-PURPOSE DESK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1954 INVENToR. R/BBY NIC/VOZ S ATTORNEY July 17, 1956 G. NICHOLS 2,755,156

PORTABLE MULTI-PURPOSE DESK Filed June 25, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR. k/qsY Nic/0L S Znvromr y//V v r I l l l I Il nited States Patent iOce latented July 17, 1956 PORTABLE MULTI-PURPOSE DESK Grigsby Nichols, Detroit, Mich.

ApplicationkJune 25, 1954, Serial No. 439,189

1 Claim. (Cl. S12-314) This invention relates to `improvements in portable furniture and especially to improvements'in portable desks.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a compact portable desk which, when in its folded, storage or transporting condition is of a'size substantially equal to a suitcase and is formed so as to resemble a suitcase and to be handled, that is carried or moved, in the same way as a suitcase.

Another object-of .this invention iis Vto ,provide a pair of shallow rectangular sections which are hinged together, in a manner of Ythe top and bottom of a suitcase, and which are each provided with means lforming desirable and necessary adjuncts to reading, writing and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide one of such sections with means -for holding letters, stationery, magazines and books, such means being compartmented and divided in compact arrangement so that such articles are separately, neatly and conveniently held in the section.

A further object of this invention is to provide the other of such sections with a table which is hingedly mounted thereto in a manner to be compactly folded entirely therein and to be easily set up into horizontal usable position and to provide, in association with such a table, an illuminating means therefor and a compartment for storing writing implements and similar, as well as sundry, other devices.

A still further object of this invention is to provide each of said sections with such enumerated features in a manner so that when the sections are disposed vertically or on end and are swung to their open position, such features are disposed for easy and convenient accessibility.

The foregoing and ancillary objects are attained by this invention, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description.

in the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of the desk shown in an open position, set up for use.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view with the table and lamp shown in closed positions.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 7 7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a perspective View of the device shown in a closed, portable position.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken on line 16-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 10.

k2 Figure 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 12 12 of Figure 10.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the

multi-purpose desk 10 vincludes a pair of shallow rectangular sections 12 and 14 which are hingedly connected together by hinges 16. Such `sections are each of a size that they resemble the top and bottom of a conventional suitcase and, when they are in the closed position of Figure 8, they not only resemble a suitcase but they are associated for transporting purposes in the same way as the sections of a suitcase.

The section 12 includes a rectangular back wall `18, side walls 2) and 22 and end walls 24 and 26. The end Wall 26 forms the bottom of the section, when it is in its open, serviceable position, as shown in Figure l. In such position, the end wall 24 defines a top wall. As shown in Figure l, the wall 18 and side walls 20 and 22 extend beyond the end wall 24 and the edges of such 'walls are scalloped or suitably designed to enhance the open appearance of the section.

Further, the extension of such back wall 18 and side walls 20 and 22 enables the use of such end wall 24 as a ledge for glasses, bottles 'or other articles when 'the desk is in the open position 1partition wall 28 is spaced from the back wall 18 and denes therewith, a magazine or book compartment 30. The upper edge 32 of such partition wall is scalloped or otherwise suitably designed to conform t0 the design configuration of the extending edges of the back wall 18 and side walls 20 and 22.

A box-like housing 32 is mounted transversely between the side walls 20 and 22 and, when the section 12 is open and on end, as shown in Figure 1, such housing 32 is located above the compartment 36. The housing 32 includes parallel top and bottom walls 34 and 36 which extend between the side walls 2t) and 22 and have their outer side edges abutting the wall 18. A front wall 38 is attached to the front or inner side edges of the walls 34 and 36 and is provided with hinged doors 4t) and 42. Such doors provide access to the interior of the housing 32, which is designed to hold stationery and similar supplies.

Below the top wall 24 and above the housing 32, in the open, vertical position of the section 12, shown in Figure l, letter holders 44 are attached to the wall 18. The letter holders 44 are in the form of individual, separate cubicles defined by concave-convex walls 46 which extend forwardly from the wall 18 and have semi-circular bottoms 48. The letter holders 44 are arranged in two horizontal groups, the lower group having walls 46 which project beyond similar walls 46 of the upper group. ln this fashion, the holders of the lower group can be simultaneously usable with the holders of the upper group.

The section 14 includes a rectangular back wall 56, Side walls 52 and 54 and end walls 56 and 58. The side wall 52 of such section carries the hinges 16, which are also attached to the adjacent side wall 20 of the section 12. The end wall 56 forms the bottom wall of the section 14, while the end wall 58 functions similar to the end wall 24 of the section 12 and the back wall 5@ and side walls 52 and 54 extend beyond such end wall 58 and complement, in design and function, the back wall ,and side walls of the section 12.

A rectangular frame 6i) is mounted transversely between the side walls 52 and 54, as shown in Figures l and 3. A rectangular table top 62 is hinged at its ends 64 to the lower side 66 of the frame and is adapted to rest in the section 14 below the frame 68. The top 62 carries a pair of legs 68 and 70 which are connected at their upper ends by a cross bar 72, which is attached by hinges 3 74 to the other endr76 0f the table top 62. A toggle brace 78 vextends between the side wall 52 and the table top and is pivoted to such parts to rigidity the table top. Similarly, a brace 80 is pivoted'between the table top and the leg 68 to support the legs in their vertical positions. The lower side 66 of the frame is formed with openings 84 to receive the outer free ends of the legs 68 and 70, when the legs are folded up and disposed in the section 14 under the table top.

The upper side 82 of the frame 60 is provided with a cut-out 86 and such cut-out or opening houses a light fixture 88, which is adjustable mounted on an arm 9i). The arm 90 is pivoted to the underside of the end wall 58 and is adapted to swing outwardly from the end wall 58.

The frame 60 detines a cabinet 92, which is closed ott by a hinged door 94. The door 94 has a nob 96 and the inner surface thereof is provided with a mirror 98. The cabinet 92 is used to store ink, pens, pencils and similar writing supplies.

An electrical cord 100 for the lamp in the light xture 88 cau be housed in the opening 86, when the fixture is disposed in the opening and when the device is in use, the cord can be extended and connected to any convenient outlet.

The side walls 22 and 54, which form the outer side walls of the desk device, in its open usable position of Figure l, are provided with a locking means 102 so that the sections can be locked together in their closed positions of Figure 8. A handle 104 is carried by the end wall 54 so that the closed sections can be easily carried in a manner similar to the carrying of a regular suitcase.

When it is desired to use the device, it is placed on end so that the ends 26 and 56 of the sections 12 and 14 rest on the ground. The sections are then swung apart to the position of Figure 4. The table is then opened to the position of Figure l. In such position, a chair can be placed alongside the section 12 and all of the various compartments will be easily accessible.

While the best known form of this invention has been shown and described, other forms may be realized as come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

In a portable desk having a pair of shallow rectangular sections, the provisions of a frame mounted in the upper portion of one of said sections, a cabinet mounted in said frame, a table top hingedly connected at its inner edge to the lower end of said frame, a pair of legs hinged- 1y connected to the outer edge of said top, toggle brace means interconnecting the section and the top, and toggle brace means interconnecting said legs and said top, said frame having a pair of openings in the lower end thereof each adapted to receive one of said legs when the latter are in folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 273,408 VOltz Mar. 6, 1883 676,951 Hagle June 25, 1901 858,831 Sherman July 2, 1907 1,240,997 Moore Sept, 25, 1917 2,692,812 Stahl Oct. 26, 1954 

